KOTA KINABALU, Aug 23 — A kindergarten teacher whose video went viral for physically abusing a four-year-old boy under her care was sentenced to one year prison and a fine of RM10,000.
Melona Eva Ezwa Musah, 27 was sentenced by Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan who also ordered her to be placed under a bond of good behaviour for two years after completing her jail sentence.
She was also ordered to serve another year in prison in default of the fine.
Melona, who had pleaded guilty to the crime on Wednesday, had committed the offence against the victim between 9am and 10am on August 8 this year at Tadika Srikandi Penampang.
The abuse came to light when the victim’s parents noticed bruises on his body and asked to see the CCTV footage of the kindergarten.
The public was shocked to see footage of the kindergarten caregiver hitting the boy several times and the outcry has led to the state Community Development and People’s Wellbeing ministry to look into new guidelines for state-registered child care centres.
Among the proposals were to make CCTVs mandatory in the kindergartens as well as tighten guidelines and training for the staff.
The incident also led to physical assault by the victim’s 36-year-old father towards Melona when the he found out about the abuse.
